Stress vs. burnout

How do you know if you're stressed or burned out?

When I'm stressed, I might yawn and yearn for a nap. When I'm burned out, I want to overturn a car and backhand a kitten. Kidding. I would never do that.

The point is, stress comes and goes. We finish the project and we feel a sense of relief. We catch up on our sleep and we feel like ourselves again.

Burnout runs deeper. It can happen when you've got too much responsibility – and/or not enough control. When promised change never comes, and you're disappointed yet again. Or you're thrust into a role you're not prepared for.

Burnout can happen in all kinds of ways. And unfortunately it can't be fixed with a vacation. But there are things you can to do get immediate relief.

Tip #1: Prioritize your sleep. More about that in a future post. But if you're feeling burned out, sleep is the #1 place to start. Even three deep breaths before turning in can help you fall asleep more peacefully.

Tip #2: Start and end your day with something normalizing. Whether it's sipping tea, listening to your favorite podcast, or listening to heavy metal, bookending each day with things you enjoy can help you reclaim your good spirits.

Tip #3: Plan something to look forward to. Doesn't have to be anything big. Just something to put a spring in your step and boost your sense of agency. Example: Today I scheduled a much-needed haircut for next week. Yay!

What's one thing you could plan today so you have it to look forward to?

Stay tuned in future posts for more about handling burnout. Meantime, what are your best coping-with-burnout tips? Post them in the comments below, and let's create a conversation!